RIMINI, Italy – Dole Basket Rimini secured the 2026 Coppa Italia A2 championship on Sunday, March 15th, with a decisive 77-58 victory over Tezenis Verona at the Palasport Flaminio in Rimini. The triumph marks a significant milestone for the club and its supporters, capping off a well-organized Final Four tournament with strong fan attendance.
The game saw a dominant performance from Rimini, particularly in the second half, as they pulled away from a closely contested first half. Rimini’s surge proved too much for Verona to overcome, solidifying their claim to the coveted trophy. The match was broadcast live and exclusively free-to-air on RaiSport HD (channel 58) and Rai Play, reaching audiences across Italy and beyond via the Hotbird 13 satellite (Europe and the Mediterranean basin) and Rai Italia internationally.
Pierpaolo Marini was named the “Fratelli Beretta” MVP for his outstanding contribution, finishing with 16 points. The “Matteo Bertolazzi” Trophy, recognizing the tournament’s breakout player, was awarded to Assane Sankare of Rimini, the 2007-born forward who impressed with 7 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes of play. Sankare’s performance underscored the rising talent within the Rimini squad.
The first quarter saw a strong start from Rimini, building an early 13-3 lead thanks to a hot hand from Leardini. Verona responded quickly, with Zampini, Baldi Rossi and Monaldi narrowing the gap to 15-15 by the finish of the period. The second quarter remained competitive, with Camara and Tomassini contributing for Rimini, while Monaldi and Poser led the charge for Verona. Rimini entered halftime with a narrow 38-34 advantage.
Rimini began to assert its dominance in the third quarter, with six consecutive points from Marini extending their lead to 50-40 at the 28th minute. They finished the quarter with a 56-46 lead, setting the stage for a decisive final period. Verona struggled to find an answer in the fourth, as Rimini maintained control and secured the victory.
Beyond Marini’s MVP performance, Rimini benefited from strong contributions from Denegri (12 points) and Tomassini (11 points). For Verona, McGee and Johnson each scored 11 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Rimini’s balanced attack. A full box score of the game is available on the Lega Pallacanestro website: https://www.legapallacanestro.com/wp/match/ita2_cup_22/ita2_cup/x2526.
The broadcast featured commentary from Maurizio Fanelli and technical analysis from Alessandro De Pol, providing viewers with expert insights throughout the game. Fans were also able to watch the game on-demand via the Rai Play portal (https://www.raiplay.it/programmi/basketseriea2oldwildwest), which hosts a gallery of Serie A2 basketball content. Subscribers to LNP PASS also had access to the game on-demand following the live broadcast.
This victory for Dole Basket Rimini is a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season. The team’s success on their home court at the Palasport Flaminio will undoubtedly energize the local fanbase and provide momentum as they continue their pursuit of success in the Serie A2 league. The Coppa Italia A2 title is a significant achievement for the club and a source of pride for the city of Rimini.
What’s Next: Dole Basket Rimini will return to regular season play in Serie A2. Details regarding their next opponent and schedule will be announced by the league in the coming days. Stay tuned to the Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro website for the latest updates.
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